Are schools required to make menu substitutions for children who cannot eat the regular breakfast or lunch?
Federal law and the regulations for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast program require schools to make accommodations for children who are unable to eat the school meal as prepared because of a disability. In order to make substitutions for items in reimbursable meals, the school must have on file a written statement signed by a licensed physician indicating what the child’s disability is, what foods must be omitted and what foods must be substituted. The purpose of requiring a written statement is two-fold. First, it ensures that the nutrition integrity of the school meal will not be comprised by the substitution. More importantly, it ensures that decisions about specific food substitutions are made by persons who are highly qualified to prescribe them.
• Federal law and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program require Schools to make substitutions for children who are unable to eat the school meal as prepared because of a disability. In order for the school to make a substitution on a reimbursable meal, we must have a written statement signed by a licensed physician indicating what the child’s disability is, what foods must be omitted, and what foods can be substituted. The purpose of requiring a written statement is necessary. First, it ensures that the nutrition integrity of the school meal will not be compromised by the substitutions. Secondly, it ensures that decisions about specific food substitutions are made by persons who are highly qualified to prescribe them.
Related Questions
- Are schools required to make menu substitutions for children who cannot eat the regular breakfast or lunch?
- Are schools required to make menu substitutions for children who cannot eat the regular lunch or breakfast?
- Are schools required to make menu subsitutions for children who cannot eat the regular lunch or breakfast?
